Kookogey Withdraws from Tea Party Forums

Former Williamson County Republican Party Chairman Kevin Kookogey is calling himself an “unannounced candidate” for the U.S. Senate, The Tennessean reports. Kookogey made the announcement after attending the first of several forums designed to identify a tea party challenger to take on Alexander. “Thank you for inviting and allowing me to participate in the Beat Lamar forum yesterday in Nashville,” Kookogey wrote. “As an unannounced candidate, however, I have decided to withdraw from the remainder of the scheduled events, lest my attendance confuse your process.” Kookogey did not respond to inquiries as to when he might officially join the race.